The post New Role For Red Wings Raymond appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.
Still only 24, Lucas Raymond has filled some key roles in his time with the Detroit Red Wings. But he’s breaking new ground with the Swedish national team at the IIHF World Championship.
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As the Swedes go for gold in Switzerland, Raymond’s role is a surprising one, even to him.
Elder statesman.
As they get ready to open the tournament on Friday against Sidney Crosby, Macklin Celebrini and Canada, Raymond is skating on Sweden’s top forward line.
His linemates are a pair of 18-year-olds – Viggo Björck and Ivar Stenberg. Like Raymond, who went to Detroit with the fourth overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, both of these youngsters expect to come off the board quickly on draft day.
“It’s the first time ever, I would almost say, that I am the oldest in the line,” Raymond told Swedish website Hockey Sverige. “It’s really fun. They are two good players, and they are very skilled. It is fun to see them play the way they do.”
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Raymond Bringing Gravitas to Swedish Lineup
Youth is being served on Sweden’s World Tourney roster. Björck and Stenberg are among five teenagers in the lineup who helped the Swedes take World Junior gold earlier this year.
Raymond and fellow NHLer Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Toronto Maple Leafs are skating in the first power-play unit for Sweden alongside teenagers Björck, Stenberg, and Jack Berglund.
The view these kids hold of Raymond is that he is an icon of Swedish hockey, a cut above the rest of the team.
“Everyone knows how good he is,” said Anton Frondell, another one of Sweden’s teens. “He’s stepping up, playing, and looking very good. He’s an incredible player, especially up front, in the goal scoring and offensive zone.
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“It’s great that he’s there and of course he’s someone you look up to, too.”
It isn’t only Sweden’s kids who view Raymond in the highest regard. Former Swedish NHL players also see star quality in Raymond’s game.
Former Swedish NHL defenseman Oscar Klefbom compared Raymond to his old Edmonton Oilers teammate, Connor McDavid, in the way in which he can make high-end plays at top speed.
While flattered, Raymond was taking such high praise with a grain of salt.
“It’s obviously fun,” Raymond said. “I think McDavid, he’s on his own level. It’s absolutely fun and always fun to hear something like that.”
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The post New Role For Red Wings Raymond appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.